Holiday cooking question...

kittylover4ever

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2004
Messages
21,696
Purraise
16
Location
Ohio
I am going to make a small ham and a small turkey breast for Jerry's side of our family the Sunday after Thanksgiving..........can anyone give me suggestions on how to bake the breast as to make it moist and juicy? My turkeys come out ok normally, but never have much taste.
 

emily_325

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
2,063
Purraise
1
Location
NW Georgia
My experience has been basting, basting, and more basting. Plus keeping it covered with aluminum foil in between to trap the juices and moisture inside.
 

AbbysMom

At Abby's beck and call
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
78,298
Purraise
19,403
Location
Massachusetts
Try the Butterball and Perdue websites. They have some fantastic recipes for turkey breasts.
 

pami

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
17,482
Purraise
17
Location
Birmingham
Originally Posted by Bella713

I've heard those bags you cook in keep things moist too.
They do! I cook roasts in those cooking bags and they always come out so tender.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

kittylover4ever

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2004
Messages
21,696
Purraise
16
Location
Ohio
What kind of seasonings do you all use?
 

crittermom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 26, 2005
Messages
6,437
Purraise
2
Another hint is to cook the Turkey breast upside down.That way all the juicy pulls downward and stays juicy.I do mine that way every year.
Plus, I cook it in a roaster oven.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

kittylover4ever

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2004
Messages
21,696
Purraise
16
Location
Ohio
Originally Posted by turtlecat

BRINE IT!!
You must brine.. it makes Turkey moist and delicious!
Who the heck was just talking about brining?..........hummmmmmmmmmmmm
 

valanhb

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
32,530
Purraise
100
Location
Lakewood (Denver suburb), Colorado
Susie, just turn on Food Network this weekend.
It's their Let's Talk Turkey marathon, and I know that Rachel Ray does turkey breast in her Thanksgiving in 60, and Alton Brown is a huge advocate of brining (we watched Romancing the Bird last night).
 

pat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
11,045
Purraise
58
Location
Pacific NW
I also highly recommend brining...we tried it after watching one of Alton Brown's shows (dh is a devoted fan) and it made such a difference!
 

lovinmom828

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2006
Messages
1,163
Purraise
1
Location
Oklahoma
Originally Posted by emily_325

My experience has been basting, basting, and more basting. Plus keeping it covered with aluminum foil in between to trap the juices and moisture inside.
Yep that basting basting. And if you want to add some fresh basil or seasonings on top too that works great too.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

kittylover4ever

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2004
Messages
21,696
Purraise
16
Location
Ohio
Originally Posted by valanhb

Susie, just turn on Food Network this weekend.
It's their Let's Talk Turkey marathon, and I know that Rachel Ray does turkey breast in her Thanksgiving in 60, and Alton Brown is a huge advocate of brining (we watched Romancing the Bird last night).
That's a good idea. I love Rachael Ray! Have you guys watched Paula Dean?
 

pat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
11,045
Purraise
58
Location
Pacific NW
Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

That's a good idea. I love Rachael Ray! Have you guys watched Paula Dean?
Yup...her pumpkin pie recipe is the best I've ever had (I not a pumpkin pie fan...well, I wasn't) and I now make it every year. It gets great compliments
 

pami

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
17,482
Purraise
17
Location
Birmingham
Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

That's a good idea. I love Rachael Ray! Have you guys watched Paula Dean?
I love her! My mother just went to her cooking school in Savannah back in May and had a blast!

Helen loves her, too! Come on Helen, speak up ......
 

lokismum

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
7,020
Purraise
10
Location
The North Pole!
Never tried brining. My secret is like a lot of you - baste baste baste! And cooking it upside down helps significantly. If you want to brown the skin you'll have to flip it over for the last hour and remove the foil. And I start them off with butter melting on top to start the basting process.
 

emily_325

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
2,063
Purraise
1
Location
NW Georgia
Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

What kind of seasonings do you all use?
I personally love my turkey smothered in a honey/dijon mustard/brown sugar glaze-like concoction. I just mix it all together until the consistency is right and tastes good.


I've been known to stud my turkey with a couple of cloves as well.
 

crittermom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 26, 2005
Messages
6,437
Purraise
2
As for seasonings:
I add salt,pepper,garlic salt,onion salt and butter/margarine and that is it.
 

gailc

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 18, 2004
Messages
11,567
Purraise
13
Location
Wisconsin
Look for my prior post on brining. The turkey was really moist!!!
I will brush the skin with vegetable oil and season with pepper and other herbs.
 
Top